Pyrenean Sheepdog Club Of Great Britain

First a big thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge, and the exhibitors for such a friendly and warm atmosphere. The breed is in good hands when there is such a lovely air of camaraderie around the ring. The dogs were beautifully presented and good natured, of course as expected in the breed some were more reserved than others, and some were less experienced, which can never be a fault. I realise that several of the dogs were more experienced in other activities to the show ring, but I would encourage their owners to dabble a little more, you have some beautiful dogs, why not show them off, and show the public how diverse this breed is. You know what they say, “you have to be in it to win it”. The venue was perfect – with beautifully mowed grass and a super-sized ring, and a relaxed lunch was enjoyed by all. Sorry I could not stay for the afternoon fun.

Pyrenean Sheep Dog (Long haired)

OD (2,1) 1. Lucas’ U’ghillie Des Haies de Chenes Verts at Shiningtor, a faun dog of just 2 years of age, He has a lovely head, with flat skull, and correct proportion and super pigment. Almond eye, being picky could be a shade darker and well-set ears – which are used well. He was alert and stood with presence in the ring watching all the activity. In profile he is just off square with good coat whish was harsh in texture. Lovely angles front and rear and the typical rise over loin. Lovely to watch gait in profile, he has good extension and when settled dropped his head. Lovely character. BD & BOB. VD (2) 1. Lucas’ Sandytrail Stargazer at Shiningtor, black dog of 7 ½ years, correct outline, with good croup and low set tail of good length and shown in good coat with felting over rump. Correct proportions to head, with flat square skull and lovely dark eye he has a very cheeky alert expression. Lovely defined angulation, and good reach of neck. He is very typical on the move with long reaching stride, just a little narrow in front compared to BD. RBD & BVIS. 2. Varnes’ Larrau de la Mesta Pastores, 10-year-old fawn dog, showing the super longevity of this breed. Just off square in outline and with good croup. Head is triangular in shape with super dark eye, and great pigment. Stands on correct oval flat feet, more moderate in angles than winner, and only give away for age was slightly less positive behind. Kept trying to impress the judge with perfect sit when I pretended to bait to check ear carriage. GCD (1) 1. Larrau de la Mesta Pastores.

PGB (5) 1. Lucas’ Selki des Haies de Chene Verts at Shiningtor, 4-year-old fawn, really caught my eye as stands so alert and balanced when free stood. Lovely athletic outline with super reach of neck, and very well angulated. She has very classic head, with square flat skull, central furrow and dark eye. Ears are beautifully placed with top part of triangle beautifully tipped forward to add to her alert expression. Good chest and firm back. She is lovely to watch on the move, super reach with minimal lift, and lovely tail carriage. Her temperament is pretty typical for the breed, which perhaps goes with her super breed type, A little more ring confidence and she would really have pushed for top honours. 2. Ehrenberg’s Shiningtor Unique, black, nearly 2 years of age, very similar in type to 1 but smaller framed, very racy in condition and shape. Correct triangular head, good muzzle to skull ratio and super ears for set and shape, used to advantage to show alert nature. Liked her natural stand, presenting correct profile for proportions, well coated and coat is of good harsh texture. 3. Slack’s Shiningtour Unity, I see 2 & 3 are litter sisters and they are similar with this sister being a shade more mature in body and coat. Lovely rough coat., good outline and proportions being just off square, correct arch over loin. Head is feminine and skull is flat – and muzzle well proportioned, eye of good shape, colour could be shade darker. Good length to tail with upward swirl. Moved out well in profile – just a little broad in chest which means a little loose in front. LB (1) 1. Lucas’ Sandytrail Sirene at Shiningtor, 3 year old black, sired by the BV, loved her outline and athletic appearance, good topline with rise over loin and good croup. She has lovely angulation and reach of neck. Feminine in head which is well proportioned and super eye and ear. Well coated and super character. Moved well with good length to stride, effortless, carried tail well. BB & RBIS. OB (2,1) 1. Lucas’ Sandytrail Starstruck at Shiningtor, 7 year old black, presents correct length to height ratio in profile, stands on flat hairy feet. Has good length to tail, well angulated behind but not quite the reach of neck of the limit winner. Feminine head, of good proportions with lovely dark almond eye and well set tipped ears to give alert expression. Sound on move. RBB. VB (2,1) 1. Keable’s Sawara Double Trouble, 12 years young and in super condition credit to her owner, has correct outline – just of square, with good topline and rise over loin. Would like a little more bend of stifle, but is well angulated in front. Good chest and rib. Correct racy appearance from good length of leg. Pretty face with good eye and ear. Just showing her maturity a little on the move. SPWB (1) 1. Sandytrail Starstruck at Shiningtor.

Special AV IR – Pyrenean Sheepdog Smoothed Face

PGD (2) 1. McGeogh’s Cavronscourt Untold Dream, nearly 2 , striking black dog, presents himself very well, almost square in outline, with good neck. Coat is super condition, short throughout except moderate feathering on legs and breaches. Well ribbed with good strong topline to croup and natural short tail. Broad head, and short muzzle to give triangular outline, eye is well shaped but somewhat light which does affect expression. Very alert and attentive and very well-schooled. Chest still to drop slightly. Good on the move, clean in all directions, and looks like could move all day, RBD. 2, Stretton’s Notterts Bra Vo Pan Pan Pan, 8 year old black, just off square in profile, correct angulation and neck. Alert expression from correct eye and ear, head is well proportioned, moved well in profile, just a shade loose in front, and enjoying the day, with a rather happy tail. OD (2) 1. Cavronscourt Untold Dream 2. Notterts Bra Vo Pan Pan Pan. VD (1) 1. Wilford’s Bel/Int Ch Cavronscourt Midas Touch RL1 Ex, 9 year old fawn, in excellent condition. Compact in outline with super coat, good ruff and feathers with clean face. Broad square flat head, rounded muzzle of good length to give wedge shape. Dark almond eye and well place ears. Moderation angulation, well developed neck. Moves well in profile, with head dropping, slightly wide in action behind. BD/BOB.

PGB (1) 1. Stretton’s Notterts Al Fa Black Beauty, good size and feminine, with correct amount of bone. Pleasing profile and shown in good coat, black as name suggests and nearly 10 years. Attractive square skull with good length to rounded muzzle, dark almond eye and ears well furnished. Moderate angles and low set long tail. Typical temperament for the breed, but we soon made friends on her terms. Moved well for age. VB (2) 1. Wilford’s Bel/Int Ch Iffa Noire des Forges de Thor at Cavronscourt,12 years young, dam of BOB. Very typy, racy and athletic in appearance, and excellent condition, only grey muzzle gives away her age. Good feathering to legs and tail. Correct shaped head, lovey eye and neat tipped ears. Pleasing angles and good reach to neck. Lively on the move and sound. BB. 2. Stretton’s Tottakai Voin Olla Valopilkku At Notterts AWB, 12 years brindle, another who is in amazing condition for her age, super shine to coat, correct proportions in outline – good topline, slight rise over loin to good croup and long tail. Head has square skull, muzzle is good length but as is common in older dogs just lacking some of the padding under eye. Almond eye and neat triangular tipped ears, give the alert expression. Lovely nature. Moved with light action, soundly. RBB.